Kid Tracks: PB&J help kids learn computer programming

Yesterday L. had a great time in her role as an "alien" at her robotics club meeting. Explaining how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to someone who has never made one before (i.e., "the alien") is a suggested activity in the 4-H robotics curriculum to help teach kids about computer programming. The computer is only going to do exactly what you tell it to do and the kids certainly learned that lesson through this very entertaining activity.

Learnings included...

* When telling an alien to get some peanut butter, make sure you tell her to open the lid.

* When telling the alien to dip the knife into the peanut butter jar, make sure you tell her to do it at an angle so peanut butter actually stays on the knife.

* If you want jelly on a different slice of bread from the peanut butter, you better tell her that too.

The club L. is participating in this year is part of a pilot program to introduce children in the Cumberland County 4-H program to the field of science and technology through robotics. It would not have been possible to start this pilot club without the generous help of the Perloff Family's Fast Grant program. The parents are very appreciative of Dave and Sandy Perloff's wonderful work in providing grants to help groups like ours!

The kids have some great equipment and software to work with this year as they explore the world of robotics. And it is really amazing to observe how quickly all of them have learned the basics of the computer programming through RoboLab (ages range from 6-12 years old in the club). L., who has never owned a set of Legos (I really have no darn good excuse why I never bought a set for her), is getting the hang of building different robot designs but is much more drawn to the programming end of things (which she got a taste for earlier this spring at UMaine).

And as all the kids in the group learn how to use the equipment and software, so are the parents. None of us have actually used the RoboLab software and have just as much as of a learning curve as the kids. Although I will admit that the younger set is getting things figured out a whole lot faster. But that's how things seem to be going this days with most technology. The younger generation is growing up with a whole new way of thinking about how to complete tasks with the technology at hand. And as tech-savvy as I may be, it's a much more natural thought process for kids today I think.

There are a variety of opportunities for kids to learn more about robotics through summer camp with the Maine Robotics program. And the Maine State First Lego League Championship being held Dec. 12 at the Augusta Civic Center can provide a great introduction to what other Maine kids are doing with robotics through their schools and other youth programs around the state.

For the parents of a child who likes to "build things," there really are some wonderful opportunities to explore in the world of robotics. You might have to drive a distance to hook up with a team (or start your own as my family did with a couple of our 4-H friends) but the benefits of hands-on engineering and technology experience is key to the future and I'm pleased that L. is so excited about it. I think these skills will serve her well in life and prepare her for the creative thinking she'll need to be successful in whatever career path she takes.

Does anyone else have a child involved in robotics here? Would love to hear about others' experiences in supporting their child's interest in this area.